Correctional Deputy

Location: Hastings, MN | Full-time | Salary range: $58,606.00 - $91,571.00 annually | Preferred hiring range: $65,932 - $73,257

About the role

Correctional Deputies are responsible for the control, observation, and direct supervision of inmate populations to ensure the maintenance of security, operational rules, procedures, and guidelines of the Dakota County Jail. Work is performed in a 24/7 secure facility environment, requiring 12-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays. Staff may also work on-call, overtime, and forced shift extensions. Opportunities exist for Monday-Friday schedules or rotating schedules.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office offers various positions and specialty assignments, including:

• Hospital Guard Duty
• Booking Specialist
• Recreation Coordinator
• Inmates Motivated to Change Deputy (IMC)
• Crime Scene Team
• Use of Force Instructor
• Special Response Team (SRT)
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Dive Team
• Drone Operator
• Social Media Team
• Community Engagement/Recruitment Team
• Honor Guard

Lateral candidates from other agencies are strongly encouraged to apply. Starting salary for lateral transfers will be based on officer qualifications, training, and years of service as a correctional officer.

Responsibilities

Core duties of all Correctional Deputy staff include:

• Representing the Sheriff's Office in a positive, professional manner and building positive working relationships.
• Maintaining standards of dress and complying with policies and procedures.
• Ensuring officer safety and situational awareness.
• Providing credible and truthful reporting and testimony.
• Monitoring security precautions and controlling inmate and staff movement within the secure area of the jail.
• Supervising up to 60 inmates in a housing unit, including direct supervision in common secure areas.
• Patrolling the facility, conducting inmate counts, and recording prisoner movements.
• Booking inmates, including initial medical assessments, fingerprinting, photographing, and collecting personal histories.
• Providing security for medical staff administering treatments, including medication distribution and diabetic checks.
• Responding to emergencies such as fights, suicide attempts, threats, fire alarms, escape attempts, and medical situations.
• Applying necessary force in accordance with Sheriff's Office policy.
• Documenting incidents and preparing reports on jail problems and discipline.
• Supervising, coordinating, and communicating with inmates regarding medical issues, courts, programs, visitation, and other needs.
• Conducting searches of inmates, living areas, and visitors for contraband.
• Processing inmate funds, releases, and bail/bonds.
• Supervising inmate recreational and visiting periods, as well as housekeeping and worker activities (e.g., kitchen and laundry duties).
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Candidates must pass all recruitment and pre-employment requirements, including:

• Educational/Experience Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED and two years of full-time work experience in any industry (part-time experience converted to full-time equivalent) or a completed 2-year degree or higher in any field.
• Interviews: Completion of a series of interviews, which may include phone, oral board, and interviews with the Sheriff and Chief Deputy.
• Background Check: Passing a thorough background investigation, including standards for driving records, conviction records, law enforcement contacts, employment history, and honesty.
• Medical Examinations: Successful completion of a medical examination as the final step in the recruitment process.

This position is designated as safety-sensitive, meaning impairment due to drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten health and safety.

Candidates must comply with Policy 1043.3 regarding visible tattoos. Non-offensive tattoos are generally allowed but may require covering if deemed unsightly, offensive, or if job assignment requires it. Visible tattoos on the ears, head, face, neck, or hands may be prohibited unless approved by the Sheriff.

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to see, hear, and remember facts to write accurate reports.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deal with inmates, coworkers, and the public fairly and respectfully.
• Deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Physical fitness to perform job duties, including lifting, carrying, or dragging up to 100 pounds in emergencies.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful situations.
• Knowledge of State, County, and Federal statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of jail records management systems (PCI).
• Knowledge of medical supplies, including oxygen kits, defibrillators, and tourniquets.
• Knowledge of restraint methods, including restraint chairs, leg restraints, and handcuffs.
• Knowledge of mental health and chemical dependency issues.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity and religious practices.
• Knowledge of Alco Sensor (Portable Breath Test).
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a secure jail, supervising inmates incarcerated for offenses ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
• Physical demands include lifting/carrying 10 to 50 pounds daily and occasionally over 100 pounds.
• Standing or walking 8 to 12 hours daily, with frequent climbing, running, and kneeling in response to emergencies.
• Exposure to disagreeable odors, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, communicable diseases, and mentally unstable or intoxicated individuals.
• Ability to distinguish colors (e.g., blue, khaki, red, green, orange, yellow, white, pink) for inmate security.
• Equipment used includes computers, printers, telephones, calculators, copiers, 2-way radios, cameras, body-worn cameras, intercoms, chemical agents, restraints, Alco Sensors, metal detectors, control panels, and medical equipment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employer-contributed).
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care).
• Retirement through PERA pension.
• 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday.
• Three weeks paid parental leave.
• Bilingual pay.
• Unused flex vacation carryover year to year.
• Higher accrual rate for employees with 10+ years of experience.

Current Dakota County employees are eligible for a $500 referral bonus for this position.

Pay

$58,606.00 - $91,571.00 annually, with a preferred hiring range of $65,932 - $73,257.

Schedule

• Full-time, 12-hour shifts including weekends and holidays.
• Opportunities for Monday-Friday schedules or rotating schedules.
• May require on-call, overtime, and forced shift extensions.